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UBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



The United State? Iavy Keterp 




TION 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 



®I;e Hittfeti ^fafcs Bauij Brferan 
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Instituted May 28, 1889 
Incorporated January 17, 1890 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 




BOSTON 

PRESS OF ROCKWELL AND CHURCHILL 

I 890 



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Copyright, i8go 

By C . Webster W i l s o n 

Conunandef' the United States A'avv Veteran Association 



PREAMBLE. 



We, Officers and Honorably Discharged Officers of the 
Navy and Marine Corps of the United States, whose names 
are hereunto annexed, having aided in maintaining the honor, 
integrity, and sujiremacy of the National Government at a 
critical period of its history, and holding in remembrance the 
sacrifices in common made and the trininphs toii'ethcr shared 
in .sup[)ort of this sacred duty, do unite in order to establish 
a [)ermanent Association for the i)ur|)ose and objects herein- 
after set foi'th, and to this end [)ledge our honor as officers 
and gentlemen to be governed by the following Constitution 
and Bv-Laws. 



CONSTITUTION. 



ARTICLE I. 



TITLE. 



This Institution shall be known by the name, style, and 
title of the United States Navy Veteran Association. 



ARTICLE II. 

principles. 

This Association proclaims as its fundamental principles, 

1st. A firm belief and trust in Almighty (iod; praising 

Him under whose guiding hand it was possible to maintain 

the supremacy of the National Union, and keep the Flag 

unsullied by the loss of a single star. 

2d. True allegiance to the United States of America, 
based upon a paramount respect for and fidelity to the Na- 
tional Constitution and Laws, manifested by the discounte- 
nancing of whatever may tend to weaken loyalty, incite to 
insurrection, treason, or rebellion, or in any manner to 
impair the efficiency and permanency of our Free Institu- 
tions. 



U.S. NAVY VETEBAN ASSOCIATION. 



ARTICLE III. 

OBJECTS. 

The objects of this order shall be to cherisli the memories 
and associations of the war wag'ed in defence of the unity and 
indivisibility of the Republic ; to strengthen the ties of fra- 
ternal fellowship and sympathy formed from companionship in 
arms ; to promote the growth and prosperity of the United 
States Navy, and to foster the cultivation of Naval Science. 



ARTICLE IV. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The several constituted bodies of this Association shall be 
known as Commanderies, and shall consist of 

1st. State Commanderies, to be known as "The Com- 
mandery of the State of ." They may be incor- 

porated under the laws of their respective States and under 
the provisions of this Constitution. 

2d, A National Commandery, to be known as " The 
Senior Commandery." 

ARTICLE V. 

MEMBERS. 

The members or companions of this Association shall be of 
two (2) classes. 

First Class. 1st. Present and past commissioned, war- 
rant, or appointed officers of the United States Navy or 



CONSTITUTION. 9 

Marine Corps, Regular and Volunteer (meaning in this to 
include all otKcers who were entitled to wear side-arms), 
who have been actually engaged in the suppression of the 
Rebellion, whether as officers or enlisted men. 

2d. The eldest direct male lineal descendants, according 
to the rules of primogeniture, of deceased Original Compan- 
ions of the First Class, and of deceased officers who at the 
time of death possessed the qualifications for membership in 
the Association : and if there are no such descendants, then 
the male heirs of such deceased companions or officers in the 
collateral branches of their families in the order of genea- 
logical succession according to the rules of primogeniture, 
disregarding intervening female lives. 

Provided, however, 1st. That the inheritance shall in 
every case of succession be traced anew from the Original 
Founder of the memljership in the Association, or deceased 
officer as aforesaid, and not otherwise, and shall be limited in 
cases of collateral succession to the brothers, and descendants 
of l)rothers and sisters, of such Original Companion or deceased 
officer, and, in cases of representation through females, the 
elder branches shall he preferred to the younger ; but any 
Original Companion, having no direct lineal descendant, may, 
by writing filed with the Secretary of the C^onuuandery in which 
he may be enrolled, or by his last will and testament, or instru- 
ment in the nature thereof, nominate for life his successor from 
among his male heirs within the said limits in the collateral 
branches of his family. 

2d. That any [)erson eligible for membership by inheri- 
tance, or by renunciation of another, may, by writing filed 
with the Secretary of the Commandery in which the member- 



10 U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

ship may be enrolled, waive and renounce his right to such 
eligibility in favor of the next entitled person. 

3d. That in case one already a Companion of the Associa- 
tion is next in line of inheritance from a deceased Oriirinal 
Companion or officer as aforesaid, the eligibility of membership 
in right of such deceased Companion or officer shall devolve 
upon the person next entitled other than such living Companion 
or his direct lineal descendants. 

4th. That in cases of inheritance by persons under the age 
of twenty-one years, their right of succession to eligibility of 
membership, or of renunciation of such eligibility, shall be 
postponed until they attain majority. 

5th. That the resignation, expulsion, or forfeiture of mem- 
bership of a Companion who has obtained such membership by 
inheritance, shall only work as a waiver of his rights in favor of 
the next person in the line of inheritance from the Original 
Companion or deceased officer as aforesaid. 

6th. That no right of inheritance shall be derived from any 
Original Companion who has been expelled from the Associa- 
tion ; but, in case an Original Companion shall have resigned or 
been dropped from the roll for non-payment of dues, his 
successor may be allowed by vote of a majority of the members 
of the Commandery present at any stated meeting to revive the 
said right. 

7th. That such descendants or collateral heirs shall have 
been duly elected as hereinafter provided. 

Second Class. The eldest sons of living Original Com- 
panions of the First Class, who shall have attained the age of 
twenty-one years, and been didy elected as hereinafter pro- 
vided. Upon the death of the Companion of the First Class, 



CONSTITUTION. 11 

through whom eligibility of membership is derived, a Com- 
panion of the Second Class shall become a Companion of the 
First Class. 

Providtd^ howeve7', that such Companions of the Second 
Class shall not have the right to hold office or of voting at 
meetings, or of balloting for officers or new members. 



ARTICLE VI. 

ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 

Section 1. Every application for membership shall be 
made in writing, signed by the applicant, accompanied by the 
admission fee of $15, which shall entitle him during member- 
ship to a Diploma, Badge, and liibbon. He shall be recom- 
mended in writing by a Companion of the First Class of the 
Association, who shall vouch for the candidate's eligibility. 
The application shall be referred by the Commander to a Com- 
mittee of Investigation, consisting of three (3j Companions of 
the Association, none of whom shall be the recommendinor 
Couipanion. The Committee shall ascertain the date of his 
appointment into the United States Navy, and if discharged, 
the reasons therefor. In all cases they shall make a careful 
examination of his standing and moral character, and shall 
report in writing at the next stated meeting of the Com- 
mandery. After the reading of the report the. Commander 
shall formally request any Companion of the Association who 
objects to the report, or has reasons against the election of the 
candidate, to then state the same, if he so desires. Upon the 
adoption of the report the candidate must be balloted for. If 



12 U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

the report be unfavorable, every Companion of the Coinmand- 
ery present shall, unless excused by a vote of the Commandery, 
deposit one (1) l)allot for or against the candidate. If no more 
than two black balls be de[)osited against him, he shall be 
declared duly elected ; but if three black balls be deposited 
against him he shall be rejected, and so declared. 

Sect. 2. An ajiplication for membership may be with- 
drawn before report thereon, or after report and before ballot, 
if the report be favorable. 

Sect. 3. A Companion-elect before being admitted to the 
privileges of membership shall subscribe to the Constitution and 
By-Laws of the Association, and be presented at one of the 
meetings of the Commandery. But if he siiall neixlect or refuse 
to com[)ly with these conditions for the period of six ((I) 
months, unless prevented l)y sickness or other unavoidable 
occurrence, his election may be declared null and void, and the 
initiation fee forfeited ; provided, that Companions-elect of the 
Association, who may be stationed, or who may reside at a 
distance too n'rcat to l)e i)resent at the stated meetinor next 
succeeding their election, and thus are unavoidably prevented 
from complying in full with the above requirements, may, in 
lieu thereof, make in writing the requisite declaration of mem- 
bership. 

Sect. 4. A rejected candidate for membership shall be 
ineligible for proposal in the Association until a period of one 
(1) year shall have elapsed from the date of his rejection, after 
which, should he again apply for membership, he shall comply 
in all particulars with the forms hereinbefore prescribed, ex- 
cept in the matter of balloting, and in that respect one black 
ball shall reject said candidate. 



CONSTITUTION. 13 

Sect. 5. When the fact of the iinworthiness or ineligibility 
of any candidate for membership in the Association shall be 
certified to by a committee of investigation, it shall be recorded, 
and a copy of such record forwarded to every Commander. 



ARTICLE VII. 

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section 1. The right of a member to resign or to with- 
draw from the Association for any stated period of time, on 
application made as hereinafter directed, shall be given at any 
stated meeting, two-thirds (|^) concurring in the same ; and 
this with the understanding that during such time the Com- 
panion withdrawing shall not enjoy the rights and privileges of 
other members. In case of the proposed withdrawal or res- 
ignation of a member before the same shall be allow^ed or 
accepted, he shall return to the Commandery the Diploma, 
Badge, and Ribbon of the Association. 

Sect. 2. All applications for permission to withdraw or 
resign from the Association shall be made in writing, and ac- 
companied by a certificate from the Paymaster that all dues 
have been satisfied ; but no member shall be permitted to with- 
draw or resign while charges are pending against him. 

Sect. 3. Membership shall be forfeited only for a violation 
of any of the obligations taken on entering the Association, or 
for other conduct unbecoming a gentleman and inconsistent 
with that of a man of honor. In such cases the Diploma, 
Badge, and Ribbon, and all other property belonging to the in- 
dividual as connected with this Association, shall be returned 



14 U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

to the Cominandery of which he is a member. In no case shall 
a Companion be exempt from his obligations to this Association 
solely on account of absence therefrom. 

Sect. 4. In case of the death of a Companion, his heirs 
shall be entitled to retain possession of his Diploma, Badge, 
and Ribbon. 



ARTICLE VIII. 

IMPEACHMENT OF MEMBERS. 

Section 1. 'If the conduct or character of any Companion 
of this Association shall be impeached, the accusing member 
shall prefer his charge in writing to the Executive Committee, 
who shall notify the accused of the same ; and if, after due in- 
vestigation, the Executive Committee consider the charge to be 
sustained, they shall report the case, with their decision, to the 
Commandery, notifying the accused of the time when the re- 
port is to be made. If the accused member shall fail to come 
forward and exculpate himself, he may be expelled by a vote of 
two-thirds (|) of the members of the Commandery; but no 
vote for the reprimand, suspension, or expulsion of a Compan- 
ion shall be taken except at a stated meeting. 

Sect. 2. The dismissing, cashiering, or dishonorable dis- 
charge from the service of the United States of any officer who 
may be a Companion of this Association shall constitute suffi- 
cient ground for his expulsion without further investigation. 
If such officer shall be reinstated, he may thereafter resume his 
membership in the Association, should there be then no objec- 
tion to his so doing:. 



CONSTITUTION. 15 

Sect. 3. A member who has been expelled may be rein- 
stated only by a unanimous vote of the members of the 
Commandery, at the next stated meeting after he shall petition 
in vvritinof for reinstatement. 



ARTICLE IX. 

DIPLOMA OF MEMBERSHIP. 

Section 1. Every Diploma of Membership shall be 
signed by the Senior Commander, and shall have the seal of 
the Association affixed thereto, and shall be attested by the 
Senior Secretary. 

Sect. 2. The forms of Diploma shall be as follows : — 
No. . The crest of the Association, beneath which an 

American Eagle displayed, in its talons grasping an oak 
wreath, rising from a cloud, in which are grouped two swords 
and four boat flag-staffs ; on the dexter side the upper staff 
hanging the flag of the Secretary of the United States Navy, 
the lower staff hanging the United States Ensign ; on the sinis- 
ter side the upper staff hanging the flag of the Admiral of the 
United States Navy, the lower staff hanging the United 
States Jack ; the whole resting on the Arms of the Association, 
flanked on the dexter side by a Dahlgren gun and on the 
sinister side by a Parrott rifle, both on broadside carriages 
complete, the whole proper, beneath which, on a ribbon azure, 
the mottoes "Patriotism," " Valor," " Fidelity," and suspended 
therefrom the Insio^nia of the Association. 



16 U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

For Original Coiiipanions of the First Class, other than 
those by right of inheritance, it sliall read as follows : — 

Huitcfi Statc0 Naun llctcvan ^sriociation. 

The Senior Commandehy, To all to whom these 
Presents shall CoiME, Greeting : 

Know yk, That . 

Unitki) States Navy, Ikivukj iiroved hunself loijdl (lud 
faithful in maintaining the honor and inteyritji of the 
Nation., has. been received a>< a Companion of the First 
Class of the United States Navy Veteran Associa- 
tion, on the day of Anno Domini 

one thousaiid through the 

Oommandery of the State of . 

In Testimony Whereof, the names of the proper 
Officers and the Seal of the jissociation. are here- 
unto affixed. Given at Boston, this 

day of in the year of onr Lord one 

thousand an d in 

the year of the Independence of the 

United States. 



Senior Commander. 



Attest 




Senior Secretary. 



CONSTITUTION. 17 

For Companions of the First Class by right of inheritance, 
and for Companions of the Second Chiss, it shall read as fol- 
lows : — 

lluitcb States Nainj llctcron QlsGOciatimu 

The Senior Commandewy, To all to whom these 
Peesents shall Come, Gkeeting : 

Knoav ye. That 

United States Navy, having proved himself ioijal and 
faithful in maintaining fJic honor and integrity of the 

JSfation, /a'.v has been received as a 

Companion of the ■. Class of the United 

States Navy Veteran Association, o)^ the 

d(fi/ of Anno Domini one thousand 

throiKjh the Comnianderg of the 



State of 



In Testimony Whereof, the names of the proper 
Officers and the Seal of the Association are here- 
unto affixed. Given at Boston, this 

dag of 171 the gear of onr Lord otie 

thousand. and in 

the year of the Independence of the 

United States. 



Senior Coinmander. 
Attest : 



Senior Serretani. 




18 U.S. NAVr VETERAN ASSOCIATIOy. 

ARTICLE X. 

OFFICERS. 

Section 1. The oHicers of the St:ite Comniandenes of tjie 
Assoeiiition shall be a ( "oiniiiander, Vice-Cominander, Secre- 
tary, Paymaster, and Chaplain, who shall, with two members 
chosen in like manner, constitute an Executive Committee. 
They shall be elected anmially in January, as hereinafter 
directed, and shall hold office until relieved by properly quali- 
fied successors. 

Sect. 2. The officers of the National Commandery shall 
be a Senior Commander, Senior \ice-Couimander, Senior 
Secretary, Senior Paymaster, and Senior Chaplain, who shall, 
with two members chosen in a like manner, constitute a Sen- 
ior Executive Committee. They shall hold office for a term 
of three (3) years, or until relieved by properly qualified 
successors. 

ARTICLE XI. 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Commander to 
preside at all meetings of the Commandery and of the Execu- 
tive (\>mmittee ; to enfoi-ce a strict observance of the C\)nstitu- 
tion and By-Laws ; to appoint all Officers and Committees not 
otherwise provided for ; to sign all orders drawn upon the 
Paymaster for all sums necessary to defray the expenses, and 
for other appropriations made and [)assed at a stated meeting 



CONSTITUTION. 19 

of the Commandery ; and to perform such other duties as 
custom and parliamentary usage may require of hiui. 

Sect. 2. The Vice-Conmiander shall, when called upon, 
assist the Commander in the performance of his duties. The 
Vice-Commander is, in the event of the death, resignation, or 
absence of the Conuiiander, liis plenary representative. If 
neither of the ahosu-nained officers be present, a Commander 
p7'o temjiore shall be electeil. 

Sect. o. It shall be the duty of the Secretarv to keep, in 
books provided for the purpose. 

1st. The Constitution and lU-Laws, Rules and Regula- 
tions of the Association, to be signed by every Companion on 
his becoming a member tliereof. 

2d. A journal of the [)roceedings of the Commandery 
after tlie same has been corrected and approved. 

3d. A letter-book of copies of all official letters sent. 

4th. A register of the members of the Commanderv, to 
contain every material fact relative to their membership. 

.")th. A book in which shall be recorded the names and 
full ])articulars of all who may be declai-ed ineligible for mem- 
l)ershij) in the Association, and those who mav be expelled 
from the Association, and the reasons therefor. He shall give 
due notice of all meetings of the Commandery, and shall 
furnish in the said notice the name, rank in the service, and 
address of each candidate for membership, together with his or 
their reconniiendations, and the Committee of Investigation ; 
and in notices of the stated meetings he shall state the amount 
due by the Companion to whom issued. He shall conduct the 
correspondence of the Commandery, and shall transfer to his 
successor in office, within two (2) weeks from the expiration 



20 U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

ot' his term, all books, papers, or other property in his posses- 
sion belonging' to the office. 

Skct. 4. The Paymaster shall receive all moneys belong- 
ino- to the Commandery, giving receipts for the same. He 
shall pav all orders signed by the (\)mmander. and none 
others, and mnst retain, in t\ book provided for the purpose, 
these orders as his vouchers. He shall keep fair and regular 
accounts of his receipts :ind cxj)enditures, making a quarterly 
statement thereof. He shall pay over and deliver to his suc- 
cessor in office, on the night of in\estiture of said successor, 
all moneys, vouchers, books, or p;i|)crs, belonging to the 
Commandery, in his hands at the close of his term oi' office. 
For the faithful performance of his duty he shall give such 
seciuuty as the Commandery may direct. He shall issue, on 
pi'oper requisitions, the Diploma of Membership and the 
Insignia of the Association ; and shall keep, in a book pro- 
vided for the [)ur[)ose, a full and complete record of the same. 
He shall, ten days before a stated meeting, send to the Secre- 
tary a list of Companions who are indebted to the (Commandery, 
with the amount due for each. 

Sect. ">. It shall l)e the duty of the Chaplain to open the 
meetings of the Commandery in the manner prescribed, and to 
perform such other duties as general custom may require of 
him. 

Sect. (i. The Executive Connnittee shall exercise a gen- 
eral inspection and control over all property belonging to the 
Conunanderv. They shall act as Auditing Conuiiittee, and 
have power to fill vacancies in the offices of the Commandery 
until the time of the next Annual Election. 



CONSTITUTION. 21 



ARTICLE XII. 



REMOVAL OF OFFICERS. 



Anv officer of the Association who shall neo-lect or iiii 
properly perform the duties incumbent u[)0n him may he 
removed by a vote of two-thirds (|) of the members of the 
Commandery present. 



ARTICLE XIII. 



MEETINGS. 



Section 1. The stated meetings of the several Connniuid- 
eries of the Association shall be held in January, April, and 
October, unless the Commandery, by a two-thirds (|) vote, 
shall otherwise direct. Provided^ however, that each Com- 
mandery shall hold a meeting in the month of January of each 
year for the election of officers. 

Sect. 2. Special meetings n^ay be convened at the pleas- 
ure of the Commander, or at the written request of five (5) 
members of the Commandery, five (5) days' previous notice 
being given in every case. 

Sect. H. Five (5) memljers of the Commandery shall 
constitute a quorum at any meeting at which business is to be 
transacted. 



22 U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

ARTICLE XIV. 

SECRECY. 

Section 1. None but Companions shall be present at a 
business meeting of the Association. The proceedings of the 
Association shall be kept secret. 

Sect. 2. Any member who shall disclose the name of a 
Companion who has been instrumental in causing the rejection 
of any candidate for membersiiij), or give information that may 
lead to such disclosure, shall be expelled from the Associa- 
tion ; and the Commander shall cause the provisions of this 
law to be read immediately after the rejection of such 
application. 

ARTICLE XV. 

FUNDS. 

Section 1. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin 
the first day of January. 

Sect. 2. Funds for defraying the current ex[)enses of the 
Association shall be raised by an annual assessment of ten 
($10) dollars upon each Com[)anion, which shall be paid in 
advance. Provided, koivecer, that Companions who live at a 
distance too great to attend meetings sliall be known as non- 
resident members, and shall i)ay an annual assessment of five 
($5) dollars. 

Sect. 3. Companions who may join during the year shall 
pay an assessment j^ro rata for the balance of the year. 



CONSTITUTION. 



ARTICLE XVI, 

AKREAKAGES. 

Section 1. Any Companion who may be in arrears at the 
time of" holding the annual election of officers shall he pro- 
hibited from voting an<l ineligible to any office until such 
dues shall be [)aid or i-emitted. 

Sect. 2. Any Companion who may be one (1) year or 
more in arrears at tiie stated meeting in January, shall be 
specially notified of the fact; :ui(l, if the same be not paid 
within a reasonable time thereafter, the Commandery may, by 
a vote of two-thirds (|) of the members present, suspend the 
Companion until such arrearages shall be [>aid or duly re- 
mitted. 

Sect. 3. If the Com[)anion shall neglect or refuse to pay 
such arrears, he may be dropped from the roll by order of a 
majority of the members of the Commandery present, unless it 
shall appear that the delinquency has occurred through una- 
voidable disability ; in which case the Commandery may remit 
the whole or any portion thereof. Companions so dropped 
from the roll may, however, be reinstated by vote of the 
majority of members of the Conunandery present, u[)on payment 
of such arrears. 



24 U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

STATE COMMANDERIES. 

Section 1. Authority to organize :i State Cominanderv 
may be granted by the Senior Comninndery upon a vote of 
two-thirds (|) of the niember.s present at a stated meeting. 
Provided., hoivecer, that the written application for such or- 
ganization shall have been made by at least seven (7) C\jni- 
panions of the First Class. 

Sect. 2. The form of Charter shall be as follows : — 
The crest of the Association, beneath which an American 
P]agle displayed, in its talons grasping an oak wreath, rising 
from a cloud, in which are grouped two swords and four boat 
flag-staffs ; on the dexter side the upper staff hanging the Hag 
of the Secretary of the United States Navy, the lower staff 
hanging the United States Ensign : on the sinister side the 
upper staff hanging the flag of the Admiral of the United States 
Navy, the lower staff hanging the United States Jack ; the 
whole resting on the Arms of the Association, flanked on the 
dexter side by a Dahlgren gun and on the sinister side by a 
Parrott rifle, both on broadside carriages complete, the whole 
proper, beneath which, on a ribbon azure, the mottoes "Patri- 
otism," " Valor," " Fidelity," and suspended therefrom the In- 
signia of the Association. 



CONSTITUTION. 25 



llnitcb States Nauij llctcvan ^ssaciation. 

The Senior Commandehy, To all to whom these 
Presents shall Come, Greeting : 

Know ye, Thuf our frxshi (^oiupanioiny^ 



(ire herehii (infliorir^ed to iii.stitule, organize, and coiiiini) 
sion a Comma iiderij in 



to he known «.s The C'o.almandery of the State of 
OF THE United States Xavy Vet- 
eran Association. 

In Testi.-mony AA^hereof. the namt^.s of the proper 
Officers and the Seal of the jis-sociation are here- 
unto affixed. Given at Boston, this 

day of in the i/ear of onr Lord one 

thousand ((nd in 

the year of the Independence of the 

United States. 



Senior Commander 
Attest : 




Senior Secretary. 



26 U.S. JVAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

Sect. 3. U|)on issuing the Charter to any Coninianderv 
tiie Senior Connnander shall direct at what time and place tiic 
sanae shall be organized. The officers then chosen shall enter 
on their duties at once, and hold their offices until the meeting 
in the month of January next following. 

Sect. 4. Each Commandery may make such rules and 
regulations as they deem necessary and proper, [)rovided the 
same do not conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws (jf 
the Association. 

Sect. 5. Each Commandery shall make a full re[)ort of its 
condition and proceedings to the Senior Commandery annually 
in December. 



ARTICLE XVIII. 

SENIOR COMMANDERY. 

Section 1. The Senior Conmiandery shall consist of the 
Commanders, ex-Commanders, Vice-Commanders, ex-Vice- 
Commanders, Secretaries, ex-Secretaries, Paymasters and ex- 
Paymasters, Chaplains and ex-Chaplains, of the several 
Comraanderies. 

Sect. 2. The duties of the officers of the Senior 
Commandery shall be as prescribed in Article XI. of 
the Constitution for State Commanderies. 

Sect. 3. All legislative power, except as reserved to 
the State Commanderies, shall be vested in the Senior 
Commandery. 

Sect. 4. The Senior Commandery shall, in the name 
and by the authority of the Association, issue all diplomas 



coNsnruTiON. 27 

of membership and charters tor the institution of new 
Coinmanderies. The Senior Paymaster shall have the 
cai'e and (Histody of the diploma-plates, dies, insif^nia, and 
ribbon, and shall deliver to Payn)asters the Diplomas of 
Membership, and the Insignia required foi- their respective 
members. 

Sect. 5. Should any State Commandery ecase to hold 
regular meetings as [)rovided by this Constitution for a 
period of one year, the Charter of the same may be re- 
voked by the Senior Commandery, and the Companions 
thereof in good standing shall be transferred to such 
Conimanderies as they may elect. 

Sect. 6. In order that the several Conimanderies 
shall be brought into direct communication with each 
other, it shall be the duty of the Senior Commandery 
to have the Conimanderies notified of each new orofani- 
zation that may have been effected ; and on the receijit 
of such official information they shall communicate, 
with the least possible delay, with the new Commandery, 
tenderino- areetinos un its entrance into the Association. 

Sect. 7. The headquarters of the Senior Commandery 
of the Association shall be in the City of IJoston. State 
of Massachusetts, at which place it shall assemble at least 
once in every two years. Its members may be repre- 
sented by letter. The Executive C^ommittee shall meet at 
least annually. Its nienibers may be represented by letter. 

Sect. 8. The actual and necessary expenses of the 
Senior Commandery shall be provided for by a /9ro rata 
assessment upon each State Commandery, according to the 
number of the members in such Commandery. 



28 U.S. NAVY VETEBAN ASSOCIATION. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

COAT OF ARMS. 

The Coat of Arms of the Association shall 1)6 
Arms on a field azure with thirteen (!')) stars blazoned 

argent, a chevron gules. 

Crest upon a wreath argent and gules, a foul anchor 

erect proper. 

ARTICLE XX. 

SEAL. 

The seal of the Association shall be 1^^ inches in 
diameter, smtl shall consist of the crest as hereinbefore 
blazoned, the whole encircled by a band ^ of an inch 
wide, thereon the legend " Seal of the United States Navy 
Veteran Association." 

ARTICLE XXI. 

INSIGNIA. 

The Insignia of the Association siiall consist of the 
badge pendant. The bar in form of a ship's yard. The 
ribbon of azure watered silk, studded over with thirteen 
(13) stars argent. The link holding the ribbon and 
badge, a marine shackle. The badge obverse, a cross 
of five (5) points argent, with a border of gules, and 
upon each of the points an initial of the Association ; 



CONSTITUTION. 29 

ii[)on the sinister point the letter ''U," chief point "8," 
the dexter j)oint "N," h)wer sinister point "V," h:>wer 
dexter point "A,"' all oi' gold, and between these points 
rays of gold : in the centre a raised disk of azure and 
upon it a foul anchor, in bend sinister, gold. Reverse 
same as obverse, exce[)ting the centre raised disk, which 
is of gold, and upon which the numbei' of the Insignia 
will be engraved. 



ARTICLE XXII, 

UNIFORM OF THE ASSOCIATION. 

Section 1. On occasions of ceremony the Com- 
panions of the Association may wear the unifoi'm of their 
respective grade whilst in the service, subject to such 
regulations as may be hereinafter enjoined. 

Sect. 2. The Insignia of the Association shall be 
worn conspicuously, and only upon the left breast. 



ARTICLE XXIIL 

amendments. 

\o alteration, addition, or amendment shall be made 
to this Constitution, unless agreed to by three-fourths 
( •] ) of the whole number represented at a stated meet- 
ing of the Senior Conunandery of the Association, and 
the notice of such meeting shall contain the full text of 
the proposed amendment. 



BY-LAWS 



ARTICLE I. 



Fundamental principles of this Association being recognized 
as its only test of loyal citizenship, the discussion or introduc- 
tion of sectarian or partisan topics within the precincts of the 
Association is prohibited. 



ARTICLE II. 

ORDER OF BUSINESS. 

At stated meetings the business shall be conducted in the 
following order : — 

1st. At the time appointed the Commander shall take the 
chair and call the Association to order. 

2d. The Secretary may call the roll of members. 

3d. The minutes of the last stated and all subsequent 
meetings shall be read and disposed of. 

4th. The stated business of the meeting, if any, shall be 
considered. 

5th. Unfinished business shall be taken up. 

6th. Reports of officers and committees shall be heard. 



B Y-LA WS. 31 

7th. Written conimuiiications shall be presented. 

Sth. Candidates for membership shall be ballotted for. 

Dth. Applications for membership shall be received. 
10th. Dues of Comi)anions shall be called for payment. 
11th. New business may be introduced. 

12th. The Secretary shall register the names of Com- 
panions present. 

13th. Adjournment. 



ARTICLE III. 

(iENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

Section 1. The general parliamentary law shall govern 
the transactions of the Association. 

Sect. 2. All official orders, communications, records, and 
[)roceedings, of whatever character, shall conform as nearly as 
possible to the general regulations, usages, and customs of the 
Naval Service of the United States. 



ARTICLE IV. 

investiture of officers. 

Upon the election of a Companion to any office of the 
Association, he shall make a declaration upon iionor that he 
will faithfully [jcrform the duties of said office until properly 
relie^■ed. 



U.S. NAVY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 



ARTICLE V. 

Section 1. iVo person who is not a member shall be 
present at any meeting or entertainment given by this Asso- 
ciation, except upon application by a Companion to the Secre- 
tary, and upon invitation signed by the Secretaiy, by authoritv 
of the Association. 

Sect. 2. The names of the invited guests and of members 
who invited them shall be entered upon the records of the 
Association meetings. 

Sect. 3. The cost of such invitation will be fixed by the 
Executive Committee. This sum must accompany the request 
for invitation. 

ARTICLE VI. 

TIIK ACTING SENIOR COMMANDERY. 

Until the organization of the Senior Commandery of the 
Association, the Commandery tof he State of Massachusetts 
shall act as Senior Commandery. 



ARTICLE VII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

No alteration, addition, or amendment shall be made to 
these By-Laws, unless agreed to by three-fourths (|) of the 
whole number represented at a stated meeting of the Senior 
Commanderv of the Association. 



